A question about Katana?

[gmac324 0]

I've done about 150 jumps on my sabre2 120 now loaded at 1.75ish. I think that it's a great all round canopy and can go very quick if I want it to.

Previous to that I had a sabre2 135 for about 200 jumps.

I have done about 30 jumps on a stilleto 135 and found its recovery arc to be shorter than the same size sabre2 but was of course much more sensitive to control inputs.

I did a few jumps on a katana 120 at the herc boogie this summer and found it to be more like a sabre2 in terms of dive an recovery arc than a stilleto, but equally sensitive to harness inputs as the stilleto.

My next choice of canopy from your current sabre2 150 would either be a stilleto 135 or a sabre2 135. Personally I'd go for the sabre2 because it has a slightly longer recovery arc like most modern canopies.

I will buy a katana 120 as my next canopy, but would definitely not recommend such a huge jump in performance and downsizing at the same time.

Graeme

[freakyrat 1]

GRU

I think a Katana would be too much of a big step for you as others said. I weigh about 180 out the door and am presently jumping a Aerodyne Research Pilot124 canopy. I have jumped and own a Stiletto120 and 135 and have jumped a Sabre150 and 135. I demoed this Pilot at the WFFC last summer along with some other canopies including the Nitron etc. All the canopies I demoed were pretty good. The Pilot was available for a good price and I bought it. Now for the canopy's characteristics. It opens easy and on heading for me. It turns just as fast as my Stiletto 120 and landings for me are pretty much like a aircraft traffic pattern cause I was never into anything fancy. The glide is a little flatter than my Stiletto 120. The canopy has more toggle range and it took a littler getting used to but it does one thing better than the Stiletto especially in no-wind conditions. It STOPS.

The Pilot doesn't give me that pitchover on final approach like my Stiletto 120 ocassionally does.

In summation, I like all my Canopies both Stilettos and my Pilot but I find my Pilot gives me just about the same performance as my Stiletto 120 but is easier to fly.

Chris